# ToursByLocals

> ToursByLocals connects travelers with independent local guides for private, customizable tours, shore excursions and safaris. Its marketplace combines guide selection, messaging, booking, payments and round-the-clock support.

- **Founded:** 2008
- **Headquarters:** Vancouver, Canada
- **Founders:** Paul Melhus (Co-founder; former CEO), Dave Vincent (Co-founder)
- **Products:** Customizable private tours, Private shore excursions, Private safaris, Essentials Collection, Travel advisor booking tools
- **Notable:** Company reports approximately 350,000 travelers in 2024., Guides created 7,811 new published itineraries in 2024., 2026 Golden Guide Awards marked the awards’ second year.

## Products & services

- **Customizable private tours** — Guide-led city, cultural, culinary, historical and outdoor experiences for a private party.
- **Private shore excursions** — Port excursions with a Return to Ship Guarantee, subject to its terms.
- **Private safaris** — Locally guided safari experiences with customizable itineraries.
- **Essentials Collection** — Curated city itineraries with a guide assigned after booking.
- **Travel advisor booking tools** — Agent booking workflow and cruise shore-excursion planner.

## Achievements

- Company reports approximately 350,000 travelers in 2024.
- Guides created 7,811 new published itineraries in 2024.
- 2026 Golden Guide Awards marked the awards’ second year.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Guide-selection article describes an hour-long interview and three to four weeks of onboarding.
- **2026-09** — TalkJS case study reports roughly 15% higher enquiry-to-booking conversion following the December 2025 messaging launch; vendor-reported comparison.
- **2026-05** — Golden Guide Awards recognize guides including Françoise Baby and Francisco Morales.

## Links

- Website: https://www.toursbylocals.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/toursbylocals
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Tours_By_Locals
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ToursByLocals
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toursbylocals/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toursbylocals/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/toursbylocals
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-16